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(N0v Mcdel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

'W. THOMAS.

APPARATUS FOR PAINTING FENCE PIGKETS, 850., BY DIPPING; No. 268,148. Patented Nov. 28,1882.

l WITNESSES j I n PEYERS. PhulmLvlhograplvw. Wmhinqlan. o.c.

.[lttorney 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

" W. THOMAS.

APPARATUS FOR PAINTING FENCE PIGKETS, &c., BY DIPPING. No. 268 148.

' 1.7V VEJVTOR m Ly 'WlTJVESSES Attorney N. PETERS. Fhmo-Uhognpbar, Wnhington. In;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WIJJBER THOMAS, OF QUTNGY, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR PAINTING FEN CE-PICK ETS, 800., BY DlPPlNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,148, dated November 28, 1882,

l Application filed August 4, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, WILBER THOMAS, of Quincy, in the county of Adams and State of lllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Painting Fence-Pickets, 850., byDipping; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the saine, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to frames for drying fence pickets, palings, and the like, after they have been dipped in paint or other coloring matter, without the disadvantage of the formation of fat edges or drops of paint at dif-. ferent places thereon; and it consists in certain improvements in the same, whereby this is effected with convenience, facility, and dispatch.

Heretofore in painting pickets, palings, and the like by the dipping process great difficulty was experienced in handling them without marring the paint and to get an even flow or thickness of paint on all parts-as, if they are laid horizontally after dipping a fat edge will accumulate on the under side, and if they are placed vertically the same accumulation in increased size will form at the lower end. Besides, it is ditficult to dry them in quantities without marring their appearance by contact or otherwise. Owing to these difficulties the palings or pickets are almost generally painted by a brush in the ordinary manner, which is a very slow, tedious, and expensive method for this kind of work. To obviate these disadvantages, and to provide simple, inexpensive,

tends an inclined platform or support, D, braced on box Aby strips E, and provided with strips F F at each end, said strips F being provided with n-shaped wireloops or pins G at regular intervals. 1

H designates the frame of the main or final drying apparatus, the same being divided into one or more sections, 1, (three being shown in the drawings,) comprising end uprights or posts, J, braced by longitudinal top rails, K K, and provided with corresponding rails, L L, at some distance above the bottom. At the ends of each section, near the top, are secured crosspieces M M, the former being provided on its inner face with a series of holes or sockets, N, and the latter on its upper edge with corresponding grooves, O.

P designates the dividing-strips, which are provided with a row or series of lateral nshaped wire loops or pins, Q. The strips are removable and separated, and are adjusted in frame H by placing one end in a socket, N, and letting the other drop into grooves 0.

Under strips P, and supported on rails L L, is arranged a slatted platform, R, composed of end pieces, S S, carrying parallel longitudinal strips T, on which are secured at right angles parallel strips U. a This platform R forms a false bottom to the device, and may he otherwise constructed and arranged, either inclined or horizontal.

The top cross-pieces, M M, of frame H are inclined toward the front of the latter, thus imparting a corresponding incline to the series of dividing-strips P. Likewise the lower longitudinal rails, L L, are secured with the rear one above the front, so as to incline the platform R, this inclination of the platforms and strips imparting greater convenience in arrangement, allowing of a flow of surplus paint forward, and permitting the lower ends of the pickets to rest between strips U on strips T, as shown.

V is a forwardlyinclined platform arranged on inclined cross-strips W W, under false bottom R, and in front and under platform V, and preferablyv supported on the projecting ends X X of strips W W is a longitudinal trough, Y, inclined toward one end of the frame.

In practice the palings, pickets, &c., are first dipped in the paint or coloring material, which is preferably contained in box or vat A, and then placed, one after another, beginning at the top, on platform D, one between each loop G of the strips F thereon. The pickets are placed longitudinally and on edge on platform D, and all handlingis done by nippers or pinchers having the least possible holding-surface, such as shown at Z, Fig. 1. Therefore it is not necessary to touch the pickets with the hand, and the fresh paint is not marred by the nippers. While in position on platform D the superfluous paint on the pickets has only to flow the width of the picket to the platform, from whence it escapes back into the vat, and I term this the quick drip. By the time the platform D has been filled the first or top picket is ready for removal, which is quickly effected by means of the nippers, some superfluous paint.ofcourse,adheringtoitsunderedge. To enable thelatter to run off the picket is placed vertically in frame H, with its upper end between the loops Q, of strips P, and its lower end resting on false bottom R, as above specified. The pickets are placed vertically, one after another, until the frame H is all filled, and while in this position all superfluous paint will drip onto the inclined platform V, from whence it runs off into trough Y and flows into a suitable receptacle placed at the lower end of the latter. During the process of drying and running off the superfluous paint the pickets are held separated, so as to have their surfaces free from contact. Th us free ventilation is secured for drying, which is not impeded by the separating loops or pins, owing to their {1 shape.

Pickets painted or colored by this means present an enhanced appearance; and another advantage is that each strip P being provided with the same number of loops Q, the capacity of the device is known, and thus the pickets may be counted.

I claim as new- 1. The drying-frame H, having separating and holding strips at the top, and under these a false latticed bottom, below which is arranged aninclined drip-platform having under its lower edge an inclined trough, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the end posts of the frame having top cross-pieces, M M, one of which is formed with a series of holes or sockets in its inner face, and the other with a corresponding series of grooves in its upper edge, of the cross-separating strips provided with a lateral series of (l-shaped loops or pins, as set forth.

3. The combination, with the end posts of the frame, having longitudinal bottom rails, L L, one above the other, on different sides, of a removable false bottom composed of end pieces supporting two sets of parallel longitudinal strips arranged one set at right angles to the other, said end pieces resting on rails L L, whereby the false bottom is inclined, as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination, with the end posts of the frame, having longitudinal rails L L, arranged one higher than the other, of the latticed platform or false bottom, inclined by resting on rails L L, the inclined drip-platform arranged under the same, and the inclined trough supported under thelower edge of the dripplatform, as set forth,

5. The combination, with the frame comprising the end posts braced by longitudinal top rails and unequallyelevated bottom longitudinal rails, L L, and having top cross-pieces, M M, one havinga series of sockets and the other a corresponding series of grooves, of the top removable separating-strips having a series of loops or pins, the inclined latticed false bottom, inclined drip-platform, and inclined trough, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILBER THOMAS.

Witnesses:

E. H. HEAD, JOHN M. Games. 

